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I jumped at the sound of her voice. I hadn’t noticed her enter, too caught up in my confused thoughts to sense her arrival. She carried a tray loaded with an assortment of snacks—meats, cheeses, fruits, and root vegetables—which she set down on the coffee table with a gentle smile.
“I thought you might like something to eat. The boys shared a bit about the meeting through the mindlink. From what they told me, you put on quite a show. They’re concerned for you,” she explained, her eyes soft with empathy.
The guilt of causing them to worry washed over me. “I didn’t mean to worry them,” I sighed, the scent of the food finally reaching my nose. The scent of the cheese and fruit made my mouth water.
I sat beside Alma on the couch, immediately drawn to the array of treats. My hands were full before I fully settled down, the cheese and fruit particularly appealing.
Alma chuckled, a warm, maternal sound. “Oh, they’ll understand once they learn about your pregnancy. My sons have seen enough to recognize the signs of a she-wolf in your condition.”
I smiled back at the older woman, my tears drying up as my stomach filled with the fresh cheeses and fruits.
“Don’t forget the meat. It’s cooked, and it’s good for the pup to get plenty of protein from both the cheese and the meat,” Alma advised, nodding towards the smoked turkey and ham.
Though my initial cravings leaned towards the cheese and fruit, I followed her suggestion. I nodded and picked up a small toothpick to poke at the bits of smoked turkey and ham. They didn’t hit the same spot as the cheese and fruit had, but they were still delicious as any of the other foods on the table.
“Thank you, Alma,” I managed to say between bites, gratitude warming my voice. “I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.”
She offered a knowing smile. “Our emotions can be overwhelming during pregnancy. It’s almost as if the baby’s needs momentarily overpower our own, reducing our expressions to the most primal—tears and frustration. But you’ll adjust, learning to interpret these new signals your body sends. Each pregnancy is unique, but food always is a good start.”
Alma’s wide smile enveloped me in warmth, the mingled scents of tobacco and her natural aroma evoking memories of my grandmother, instilling an unexpected sense of security. Her face softened as she looked back at me, her hand reaching out to touch my face. “I miss your grandmother, too.”
Surprised, I looked at her. “How did you know I was thinking about her?”
“Because I was thinking about her too,” Alma confessed with a tender smile. “She would have been overjoyed to see you mated and expecting. She always had a hunch about you and Brady, especially after that Winter Solstice when the two of you got lost in the forest looking for the children you were babysitting.”
At first, I frowned involuntarily as the memories of that night flooded my mind. The number of times that Brady and I had saved one another. Just two kids who didn’t even have their wolves yet. His magic was barely under control and weakened by the Winter Solstice.
We had gotten closer that night until my parents took me away, thinking that it was all his fault. I had pushed those memories back so much recently while fighting the pull of our bond.
Curious, I leaned forward. “What exactly did she say?”
Alma chuckled, a spark of mischief in her eyes. “That Brady was an annoying little shit who wouldn’t stop asking when you would visit again. She used to laugh about how often he’d bring you up, almost obsessively. She mentioned that many times he would bring you up just to complain about you out of nowhere. She said she wouldn’t be surprised if you two turned out to be mates with the way he couldn’t seem to just forget about you.”
“Gran did have an uncanny intuition,” I mused, a smile playing on my lips.
“You have no idea,” Alma continued, her laughter filling the room. “She knew your grandfather was her mate when they were just kids. She’d proclaim it to anyone who’d listen and shoo away any girls who showed an interest in him. Everyone thought she was jumping to conclusions, but she was adamant. And sure enough, it was confirmed on their eighteenth birthday.”
A tear slid down my cheek as the weight of her absence hit me. “I wish she was here,” I whispered, quickly brushing away the tear. “But I’m grateful to have you, Alma.”
Alma pulled me into a comforting embrace. “And you always will have me in your life. My family is your family. Now, do you want to talk about it?”
“Talk about what?” I asked, shrugging slightly.
“About what you plan to do about the pup. Does Brady know yet?”
I shrugged again. “He hasn’t said anything.”
“Well, he may have noticed a change, but it could still be a bit early for him to recognize what the change is. If that’s the case, will you tell him?” she probed gently.
“Diana asked me that same question,” I admitted.
Alma nodded, her voice warm and supportive. “Well, I assume she told you about her past. She must be fully ready to support you, no matter what you choose. And I’m the same. It’s up to you how you proceed. Remember, whatever your decision, know that Diana and I are here for you, unconditionally.”
I laughed softly, a sense of resolution settling within me. “I guess it’s not really a choice anymore. The baby needs Brady’s magic for its hybrid nature to develop fully. I don’t possess any magic of my own.”
Alma raised an eyebrow. “That’s only if you intend to raise the baby to harness those magical powers. I’m sure there are ways for the baby to learn on their own. Diana told me about the strange wolf pack they met in Montana. Their pups all have magic, but their mothers do not.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that,” I said, surprised.
